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CV24, the waiver that provides flexibilities related to Targeted Case Management (TCM), remains in effect and there will be more information soon about an expiration for this waiver. We expect this waiver to remain in effect until at least 8/30/21. DHS is in the process of updating the COVID-19 waivers and modifications webpage to reflect revised expiration dates based on the end of the state peacetime emergency and the HHS omnibus bill. Please watch DHS bulletins, manuals and other regular communication channels for program-specific guidance over the coming weeks.
Additionally, in the special session the legislature approved changes to the law that CV24 waived. You can see these changes in Laws 2021, 1st Special Session Chapter 7, Article 6, Sections 14, 15, 20, and 21. These new interactive video standards for TCM will require The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approval; we are hoping for CMS approval of these changes by January 1, 2022.
Please visit DHS’s Waiver and Modifications page for information on other waivers impacted by the ending of the Peacetime Order.
SSIS is seeking three agencies to pilot SSIS version 21.3 (v21.3).
Pilot dates are August 18th through September 14th, 2021; statewide release is scheduled for September 15th, 2021.
Pilot agencies receive weekly phone calls, priority response from the SSIS help desk, and provide application input during the piloting period.
V21.3 will include significant changes for child welfare related to Family First Prevention and Service Act.
For more information about items in the v21.3 release, please see: overview of items in the 21.3 release.
Contact Lisa Litchfield if your agency is interested in piloting.
Data integrity reports are used to identify inconsistent client data in SSIS. Generating these reports on a regular basis will improve timeliness, efficiency and accuracy of local and state data, as well as improve federal reporting.
It is recommended that agencies run reports monthly to avoid buildup of problematic issues. To access the reports in SSIS click on: Tools>General Reports>Data Integrity Reports.
Effective July 1, 2021, the Maltreatment of Minors Act includes new exceptions allowing for delay, in certain circumstances, for immediate face to face contact requirements in reports of sexual abuse and substantial child endangerment. DHS Bulletin 21-68-18 Statutory exceptions for face to face contact establishes guidance for implementation.
SSIS staff are working to add the activity “CP Timeline Exemption” for the face to face exemption requirement, which will be associated with BRASS codes 104 (Child Protection Investigation) and 108 (Family Assessment Response). Additional information will be communicated in the near future.
In coordination with the implementation of the exceptions added to the face to face contact statute, the current peacetime emergency waiver (waiver C.V. 33), outlined in DHS Bulletin #20-68-13, enacted by the Governor in April, 2020 has expired as of June 30, 2021. Beginning Immediately: the use of the activity “WAIVER: Law Enforcement/Medical Contact” should be discontinued.
Questions should be directed to the SSIS Help Desk.
Emergency Background Studies
Instructions with the steps and information entities need to submit an emergency background study are available on NETStudy 2. Frequently asked questions about emergency background studies are also available on the background studies COVID-19 webpage.
Adoption-only background studies and emergency background studies for foster care
This information was originally released in the February 2021 Permanency Support Issue of the CSP Update.
When a child foster care provider is planning to adopt a child under guardianship of the commissioner, but their foster care home study was approved using emergency background studies, adoption-only background studies can be completed on each prospective adoptive parent and all required household members to fulfill background study requirements for adoption and Northstar Adoption Assistance eligibility. This option is only currently available to foster families who are adopting a child under guardianship of the commissioner and whose foster care license was issued using emergency background studies.
Adoption-only background studies have different procedures than child foster care and emergency background studies. Adoption-only background studies are completed using hard fingerprint cards, where fingerprints are taken manually, not electronically, and processed via the former NETStudy system (not NETStudy 2.0). Gemalto Thales fingerprinting sites cannot be used for fingerprint requests for adoption-only background studies, as those locations are for electronic fingerprinting for NETStudy 2.0.
If pursuing this option, agencies should provide fingerprint authorization forms to prospective adoptive parents and all required household members, and direct them to take the form to a location that will complete hard fingerprint cards, such as a local law enforcement or sheriff’s office. The agency who completed the foster care home study for a family must complete a home study update upon receiving the adoption-only background study results.
When submitting Adoption Placement Agreements (APA) to DHS staff in this situation, results from both types of background studies (emergency and adoption-only) must be submitted with the APA.
If you have questions about this option, contact Kathleen Hiniker, permanency unit supervisor, at kathleen.a.hiniker@state.mn.us.
This information was also published in the SSIS Permanency Update, April 1, 2021.
Family First Prevention Services Act
The Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) requires that all staff working in a Title IV-E Group Children’s Residential Facility (CRF) receive fingerprint-based “Adam Walsh” background checks in order to meet Title IV-E child safety requirements.
To assist counties and initiative tribes with claiming Title IV-E reimbursements for these placements, we will periodically update the list of facilities that have met the background checks safety requirements.
Click here for an updated list of facilities in compliance
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